Table of Contents

Alternative Probation Strategies in Baltimore, Maryland (ICPSR 8355)

Principal Investigator(s):Collins, James J.

Summary:

The purpose of this study was to assess the relative
cost-effectiveness of supervised probation, unsupervised probation,
and community service. Data were collected from several sources:
input-intake forms used by the State of Maryland, probation officers'
case record files, Maryland state police rap sheets, FBI sources, and
interviews with Maryland probationers. Non-violent, less serious
offenders who normally received probation sentences of 12 months or
less were offered randomly selected ... (more info)

The purpose of this study was to assess the relative
cost-effectiveness of supervised probation, unsupervised probation,
and community service. Data were collected from several sources:
input-intake forms used by the State of Maryland, probation officers'
case record files, Maryland state police rap sheets, FBI sources, and
interviews with Maryland probationers. Non-violent, less serious
offenders who normally received probation sentences of 12 months or
less were offered randomly selected assignments to one of three
treatment methods over a five-month period. Baseline data for
probationers in each of the three samples were drawn from an intake
form that was routinely completed for cases. An interim assessment of
recidivism was made at the midpoint of the intervention for each
probationer using information drawn from police records. Probationers
were interviewed six and twelve months after probation
ended. Demographic information on the probationers includes sex, race,
age, birthplace, marital status, employment status, and education.